JOURNEYS PERU - ANDES TO THE AMAZON Saturday 2 - Wednesday 20 November 2019 18 nights TOUR OVERVIEW Peru is an unforgettable destination, with its rugged natural beauty, ancient ruins and architecture, rich history and vibrant fusion of cultures. On this tour combine the country's most famous highlights with an unforgettable luxury expedition on the Amazon River. Explore three cities that are UNESCO world heritage sites: Arequipa, Cusco and Lima. They display their rich heritage in grand churches and convents, ruins of Incan palaces and fortresses, and magnificent colonial buildings. There's a modern buzz here too, especially in the vibrant capital Lima with its museums, galleries and lively food scene, and where bustling markets overflow with vivid textiles and handicrafts. Peru was the heart of the Inca empire. The largest civilisation in pre-columbian America, it stretched from what is now Columbia in the northern hemisphere, down to Chile. Yet it lasted only a short time before civil war, disease and the Spanish conquest brought its end. You will get to explore the famous ruins of Machu Picchu and reflect on the brief flourishing of this ancient empire. The nearby Sacred Valley is home to many other remnants of the ancient inhabitants of Peru, including the site of the only battle in which Incas defeated the Spanish conquerors. Natural beauty abounds. Visit the Colca Canyon, more than 1,000 m deep and surrounded by high Andean peaks, and home to soaring condors. Explore Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable waterway in the world and home to the Uru people, who live on floating islands made of reeds. According to folklore, the lake is the birthplace of the sun, which is why this huge body of water is considered sacred. And then the Amazon Basin. Holding over half of the planet s remaining rainforest, this astonishing ecosystem owes its existence to one life source: the Amazon River. While enjoying pure luxury aboard your small cruise ship, gaze at breath-taking scenery, explore luxuriant rain forest and encounter all manner of exotic wildlife. Explore by skiff or kayak, take guided walks, fish and even swim with dolphins, or simply sit back and enjoy the fine cuisine, wines and amenities on board. Throughout this tour you will enjoy a high standard of distinctive accommodation, and sample food chosen to show off regional specialities. You might not have heard of Peruvian cuisine, but fusion food flourished here before it was trendy, combining Spanish, indigenous, African and Asian influences. Drink the famous pisco sour and try coca tea. Experience memorable journeys by road, rail and boat. Bring home samples of weaving and other centuries-old crafts. Return with memories of Peru from the Andes to the Amazon. TOUR HIGHLIGHTS Cruise the remote upper reaches of the Amazon River, with luxury accommodation on board a small ship Explore rain forest with an abundance of wildlife Discover rich veins of Peruvian culture and history indigenous people, colonial history, modern day The famous sites of Peru: Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca, Arequipa, Lima, Cusco Optional tour extension in Santiago and Valparaiso in Chile Left: Machu Picchu
TOUR INCLUSIONS The services of an experienced New Zealand based Calder & Lawson tour manager Economy class airfares 18 nights accommodation Meals as specified in the itinerary Local guides All group transfers Admissions as detailed in the itinerary All tips for local guides and drivers Pre-tour material TOUR EXCLUSIONS Airline taxes Personal expenses Travel insurance IS THIS TOUR FOR ME? This tour is for people who want to experience the classic highlights of Peru and the remote and fascinating upper Amazon Basin. The land part of the tour involves walking on uneven surfaces, climbing steps and clambering around archaeological sites, so you will need to be reasonably fit and confident with walking for several hours at a time. Beyond that the programme is not physically very demanding. The biggest challenge though will be the effects of altitude. Lake Titicaca is 3,800 m above sea level, and your coach will cross a pass up to 4,900 m. The effects of altitude will be noticeable, and you should discuss preparations for this with your doctor before committing to the journey. You will need to be reasonably fit and mobile to enjoy exploring the Amazon, though excursions are optional and you will be living in the lap of luxury on board your ship. Beverages during included meals, unless specified Hotel porterage Please note that unlike most of our tours, if you wish to pay by credit card, a surcharge fee of 2.5% will be charged. TOUR PRICE Ex Auckland Share twin per person NZD$16,573 Single supplement (limited availability) NZD$ 3,970 Please contact Calder & Lawson Tours if you are interested in a single occupancy place. GROUP SIZE Minimum 10, maximum 18 VARIATIONS IN TRAVEL We can make arrangements for any travel you would like to do before or after this tour, or book business class seats for the flights. Please contact us. Uros Islands, Lake Titicaca National Reserve
DAILY ITINERARY Saturday 1 November 2019 Auckland Santiago (Chile) Meals: in flight Flight: 12 hours Overnight: Santiago Saturday 2 November Santiago Arequipa (Peru) Meals: B/D Flights: 5.5 hours Overnight: Arequipa Sunday 3 November Arequipa Meals: B/D Overnight: Arequipa Monday 4 November Arequipa Colca Canyon Coach: 4 hours Overnight: Yanque, Colca Canyon Tuesday 5 November Colca Canyon Puno Coach: 6 or 7 hours Overnight: Puno Wednesday 6 November Lake Titicaca Overnight: Puno Thursday 7 November Puno Cusco Train: 10 hours 20 minutes Overnight: Puno Evening departure from Auckland for an overnight flight to Santiago. This crosses the international date line so you arrive in Santiago early in the afternoon of the same day, then transfer to your hotel. Remainder of day free to relax. Transfer to the airport and fly via Lima to Arequipa (2,200 m). On arrival transfer to your central hotel, your base for two nights. Tonight enjoy a welcome dinner. Arequipa's bold ensemble of baroque buildings carved out of the local white volcanic rock nestles at the foot of three dramatic volcanoes. On a half-day walking tour this morning we will explore this UNESCO World Heritage site. Starting in the cloisters of the Jesuit church, we will wander the main square and the city's most important streets. On the way we will see the façade of the church of the Third Order of San Francisco and its beautiful courtyard planted with jacaranda trees. Then on to Santa Catalina Convent, founded in 1580, with its cloisters, picturesque streets and plazas that remain the same as they were centuries ago. We will also learn about the lives of the select group of nuns who lived there. Afterwards we visit the neighbourhood of El Solar to see the Jesuit church, the oldest and most important example of religious architecture constructed out of the local sillar stone. After lunch there is a free afternoon to relax or explore further. The day starts with an unforgettable trip through volcanic landscapes, passing through the town of Yura, the Aguada Blanca national reserve with its unusual limestone formations and the Pampa Cañahuas national reserve. We will cross Patapampa Pass at nearly 4,900 m, and can try muna or coca teas when we stop at Patahuasi, among some surreal rock formations, before heading to Chivay for lunch. Then a short drive to your hotel near the village of Yanque (3,500 m), where you will have the rest of the afternoon at leisure to enjoy the hotel s spa and natural hot springs. We will head towards the Cross of the Condor, the best location to admire the Colca Canyon and -if weather allows you will get the chance to observe the majestic flight of the condors. Then visit the colourful towns of Pinchollo and Maca, before arriving at Chivay for lunch. In the afternoon transfer to your hotel in Puno (3,800 m), on the shores of Lake Titicaca. Experience a full-day trip on the world's highest navigable lake. Head out towards Taquile Island, about 35 km away. The culture on the island dates back to Pre-Incan times, and the islanders still live according to the traditions and beliefs of their ancestors. They're renowned for their lovely outfits and incredible textiles in fact UNESCO has designated the textile art of Taquile Island as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. While still on the island we will visit the community of Huayllano, whose members will show you their normal artistic handicraft and farming activities. After a picnic lunch sail across to the famous Uros Islands, a set of artificial floating islands in the middle of the Lake Titicaca National Reserve. Here you will meet the islanders, hunters and gatherers and descendants of the first altiplano inhabitants, who still live on totora reed platforms. All aboard for an early departure on the train to Cusco. The journey will be one of many highlights on this trip. Cross the astonishing high Andean plateau landscape, where you see grazing alpacas and llamas and little villages against the spectacular background of the Andes. The carriages on this elegant train have windows on both sides and in the roof, and open-air viewing platforms and balconies for better views of the surrounding landscape. There is a lounge and you will be served a delicious lunch in the dining car. On arrival at Cusco (3,400 m), ancient capital of the Inca empire, transfer to your modern hotel, housed in a 16th century building.
Friday 8 November Cusco Overnight: Cusco Saturday 9 November Cusco Sacred Valley Aguas Calientes Train: 1 hour 40 minutes Overnight: Aguas Calientes Sunday 10 November Aguas Calientes Machu Picchu Cusco Transfer: to Machu Picchu 30 minutes each way Train: 1 hour 40 minutes Coach: 2 hours Overnight: Cusco Monday 11 November Cusco Iquitos Meals: B Flight: 2 hours 10 minutes Overnight: Iquitos Tuesday 12 November Iquitos Nauta Amazon River Meals: B/PL/D Coach: 2 hours Wednesday 13 November Amazon River This morning go on a half-day excursion around the important sites in the 'imperial city', a UNESCO World Heritage site. Begin at Koricancha temple, an ancient Inca palace and centre of worship of the sun god. The Dominicans ordered a church to be built on the site, which survives to this day. Then to the central plaza, where you will visit the cathedral, the most important religious building in the city. The climb continues to Sacsayhuamán fortress, an impressive example of Inca military architecture. Then to Kenko, where the sun, moon and stars were worshipped. Next a visit to Puca-Pucara, which may have been a rest and lodging place for the Inca. Finally you will visit the Inka s Expression art workshop, where you will appreciate how different Peruvian natural products are used (such as plants, fruits, vegetables) and you will discover their nutritional, curative and cosmetic properties. After lunch you are free to relax or explore further. Spend today in the Río Urubamba Valley, known as El Valle Sagrado or the Sacred Valley, once the epicentre of the Incan empire. First stop at a viewpoint to admire the soaring mountain peaks. Then to Moray to see the enormous circular terraces that were used by the Incas as a botanical laboratory. This is followed by the Maras salt pans, which produce the finest salt in the world, according to some international chefs. After a lunch in a local restaurant continue to Ollantaytambo, one of the most imposing building complexes of the Incan empire and the site of one of the Spanish conquistadors' rare strategic defeats. Famous for its terraced fields (cut into the hillsides), Ollantaytambo was an effective fortress as well as a religious centre. The tour ends at Ollantaytambo station, from where you take an early evening train to Aguas Calientes (2,040 m), named for natural hot springs, and transfer to your modern hotel that is modelled on an Andean village. Step back in time to the Incan empire in the early 15th century. Here, high in the Andes, this people constructed an elaborate complex whose purpose remains unknown. Known to the scientific world only when Hiram Bingham was shown the site by locals in 1911, the 'Lost city of the Incas' is today one of the most famous and spectacular sets of ruins in the world. After exploring the site in the morning, it's time to retrace your steps: to Aguas Calientes for lunch, by train to Ollantaytambo and then coach to Cusco. Today you head for the upper Amazon Basin. Transfer to the airport for a flight to Iquitos, then transfer to your hotel. Remainder of the day at leisure in the largest city in the world that's not accessible by road. Today transfer to Nauta to start your four-night cruise on the Amazon. Your home is the luxurious Delphin III, a small ship with only 22 suites. All suites (they can't be called cabins) have full-length windows for stunning views of the passing scenery, orthopaedic beds with pure cotton sheets, private bathrooms, air conditioning and a sitting area. The top deck of the ship features beautiful indoor and outdoor lounge areas, a sundeck with plunge pool, a spa and gym, and the bar. It also has an entertainment centre where you can watch films or read books about the history and wildlife of the areas you're visiting. The dedicated and attentive crew are there to make this an unforgettable experience, and over the next few days you will have a wealth of activities to choose from all included, of course. Naturally enough, the crew may have to modify the programme because of weather or river conditions. Step onto terra firma for a nature walk like you've not experienced before. At Fundo Casual, your guide will take you deep into the rainforest in the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve and point out amazing creatures and vegetation of the Amazon. The walk isn't demanding, and rubber boots and rain ponchos are provided in case of inclement weather. Then cruise through the Yanayacu and Pucate Rivers, tributaries of the Amazon,
peeking into different creeks and lagoons. This is one of the best preserved and protected zones of the national reserve. You will even have the opportunity to swim in the jungle river along with the famous pink dolphins! They are social, friendly and extremely intelligent creatures, and one of the highlights of a visit to the Amazon Basin. Dinner on board tonight, as on every day, will be a five-star experience of carefully-prepared contemporary dishes using the range of fresh ingredients the Amazon region has in store, paired with fine South American wines. Thursday 14 November Amazon River Friday 15 November Amazon River Saturday 16 November Nauta Iquitos Lima Meals: B/PL Transfer: 2 hours Flight: 2 hours Overnight: Lima Sunday 17 November Lima Overnight: Lima Monday 18 November Lima Santiago Meals: B/in flight Connecting flight: 3 hours 40 minutes Wednesday 20 November Auckland Meals: in flight Explore the Samiria River and its tributaries on skiffs, where an abundance of wildlife hides in the deep rainforest such as macaws, toucans, umbrella birds, monkeys, and river otters, capybaras and more. Your naturalist guides will pinpoint all the biodiversity of this region. You may see the Amazon river dolphin again. After a delicious dinner visit Nauta Caño Creek and go fishing for the famous piranha, a challenging experience you won t forget. As night approaches your guide will take you on a night safari in search of caiman alligators and night birds. The sound of the jungle at night is intense, and unlike anything you have ever experienced. Above, a bright and dense canopy of stars. A skiff excursion along the Marayali River takes you to an area populated by sloths, iguanas and anteaters. Birdwatchers are likely to check some more exotic species off their bucket list. The Amazon Basin boasts more than 1,500 species of birds that is 20% of the total number of species on the planet. Another short skiff ride and jungle walk will bring you to the community of San Francisco to meet local villagers who have called Amazonia their home for generations. At a market you might find memorable arts and crafts made by local women. Following this visit will be a jungle walk with your guides. You might want to try some of the other activities available, such as river kayaking or fishing. With heavy hearts, the staff will wish you farewell as you begin your departure. At the port of Nauta, the ground crew will be waiting to take you in private vehicles back to the city of Iquitos, about 95 km by paved road. En route you will visit the Rescue & Rehabilitation Center of River Mammals (ACOBIA), where you will have the chance to feed manatees and learn about these docile creatures and why they are on the endangered species list. There are also other animals cared for by the centre that have been rescued from capture and other threatening situations, including monkeys and river otters. A band of dedicated volunteers work hard all year round to ensure their efforts are sustained. You are welcome to donate to this organisation and education centre as you wish. From Iquitos fly directly to Lima, and transfer to your hotel. Remainder of day at leisure. In the morning explore Peru's capital on a guided coach and walking tour. Take a walk around the central plaza, with its grand buildings: the presidential palace, cathedral, archbishop's palace and city hall. Then discover the San Francisco Monastery, one of the most spectacular churches of colonial Lima. Visit its catacombs and a very fine museum of religious art from the XVII century. The tour goes all the way to the modern district of San Isidro, where you will appreciate Huaca Huallamarca, a pre- Incan pyramid made out of adobe, and finish in the tourist district of Miraflores by the shores of the Pacific Ocean. Following a Peruvian fusion lunch in a charming restaurant within the walls of a colonial palace, you have the afternoon at leisure. After a free morning in Lima, transfer to the airport to board a flight to Santiago. Those not staying on for the tour extension will connect to an overnight flight to Auckland. After crossing the international dateline, an early arrival in Auckland.
Clockwise from Top Left:: Rainforest bird, Macaw; Skiff excursion on the Amazon, Aerial view of the Amazon, your river ship, MV Delfin III. HOW TO SECURE YOUR PLACE ON THIS TOUR A deposit of $1,000 is required to secure your place on the tour. When minimum numbers are reached, the tour will become a confirmed departure. Until that time, your deposit is fully refundable. Once confirmed, we will advise when the full tour payment will be due. Click here to complete the online registration form, pay the $1,000 deposit and your spot on this tour is secured. Or you can complete a paper registration form. You can download one from the website www.calderandlawsontours.co.nz, or give us a call and we will email or post one to you. TERMS & CONDITIONS Can be found on the website www.calderandlawsontours.co.nz, on the back of the paper registration form or on the summary page when you complete an online registration. Please note that unlike most of our tours, if you wish to pay by credit card, a surcharge fee of 2.5% will be charged. VARIATIONS This itinerary is Version 1 dated 24/09/2018 and is subject to change. Exchange rate fluctuations may result in a change to the tour price.